MB01 - VICAT CONSISTENCY TEST

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To determine the amount of water required for normal consistency according to a

specific procedure.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to

i. describe the importance of Vicat Test.
ii. measure the percentage of water required for normal consistency.

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

A Minimum quantity of water required to initiate the chemical reaction between

water and cement to form a paste is known as consistency of cement. Standard
Consistency is that cement consistency which will allow the Vicat plunger to
penetrate to 5-7 mm point from the bottom of Vicat mould. The strength of
concrete depends on the quality material used in it and cement is one of them. In
order to attain the required cement strength, the right amount of water need to be
added. Water less than the standard consistency would not initiate the chemical
reaction between water and cement resulting in the strength of cement. Water
more than the consistency result in excess water and strength reduction. That’s
why it is important to know the standard consistency of cement material. Standard
Consistency of an ordinary Portland cement varies between 25-35%. That means
25% of water in volume is needed to make a standard consistency of cement.
For Example, the amount of water required for a 200 g of cement which has 30%
consistency means that 200*30% = 60g water is needed to prepare a standard
consistency.

4.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

Vicat Test are used widely in cement manufacturing industry and construction industry
to test and measure the standard consistency of cement.

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5.0 EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

i. Analytical balance
ii. Measuring cylinder
iii. Vicat set
iv. Ladle
v. 2500g cement

6.0 PROCEDURES

i. Deliberate and mix 400g of cement while slowly infusing 120ml of water.

ii. Mix the cement using two ladle and place the cement the Vicat mould.

iii. Flat the cement surface once using the ladle. Degrade the 10mm diameter of
plunger so that surface was touched before it’s free.

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iv. Measure the amount of penetration. Repeat the penetration process with the
different water label which 125ml, 130ml, 135ml and so on until the consistent
standard cement paste is yielded when the Vicat plunger penetrates at the 5mm
from the base mould.

v. Plot the graph of water against penetration plunger level from the base of mould.

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7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

Cement Water Percentage Vicat Reading

Penetration
No Weight Volume of Water
(mm)
(g) (ml) (%) Start Final

8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

i. Do the data analysis on the result gain on the experiment.

ii. Plot a graph on percentage of water vs. penetration.
iii. Discuss on the result and graph.

9.0 QUESTIONS

i. What is the important of Vicat Test?

ii. Beside Vicat Test, name the other test to test the cement. Explain it.

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MB02 - SIEVE ANALYSIS OF FINE AGGREGATE

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To obtain grading curve of fine aggregate.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students should be able to

i. describe the importance of sieve analysis of fine aggregate.
ii. measure the grading curve of fine aggregate.

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

In Civil Engineering, aggregate can be described as crushed stone, gravel,

sand, slag, and recycled concrete, which is composed of individual particles.
Aggregates are also used as base material under foundations, a component
of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt concrete, which is
normally used in building and road constructions. The sieve analysis,
commonly known as the gradation test, is a basic essential test for all
aggregate technicians. The sieve analysis determines the gradation (the
distribution of aggregate particles, by size, within a given sample) in order to
determine compliance with design, production control requirements, and
verification specifications. The gradation data may be used to calculate
relationships between various aggregate or aggregate blends, to check
compliance with such blends, and to predict trends during production by
plotting gradation curves graphically, to name just a few uses. Used in
conjunction with other tests, the sieve analysis is a very good quality control
and quality acceptance tool.

4.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

Sieve analysis of fine aggregate are commonly use to grade the fine aggregate to
be use in concrete and other application in Civil Engineering.

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5.0 EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

i. Balance
ii. Standard sieve
iii. Sieve shaker
iv. 3kg sample of fine aggregate

6.0 PROCEDURES

i. Prepare 3kg sample of fine aggregate.

ii. Obtain 500g of sample from quartering

iii. Place the aggregate sample in mechanical shaker which arranged according to
size.

iv. Sieve the sample by using mechanical shaker for 5 minutes.

v. Weight the aggregate retained for each sieve plate size and properly record the
data.

vi. Plot grading curve from test result.

vii. Determine the fine Modulus of fine aggregate by dividing the total cumulative
percentage for retain aggregate.

viii. Referring to the standard, determine the suitability of the tested fine aggregate
as concrete material. State all the related references.

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 (i) (ii) (iii)

(v) (iv)

7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

Dry weight of used material: ………………………………………………… g

Sieve Size
According Mass of Percentage Cumulative Cumulative
to British Retained Retained Percentage Percentage Note
Standard (g) (%) Retained Passing
(mm)
10.0
5.0
2.36
1.18
0.6
0.3
0.15
0.075
Pan
TOTAL

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8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

i. Plot the grading curve gain base on experiment done.

ii. Determine the Fine Modulus of fine aggregate base on experiment.
iii. Discuss on the result gain on the experiment.
iv. Determine the suitability of fine aggregate tested as the concrete materials

9.0 QUESTIONS

i. Explain any application of this experiment in Civil Engineering field.

ii. Why this experiment should be conducted before it use in concrete mixing?

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MB03 - SIEVE ANALYSIS OF COARSE AGGREGATE

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To obtain grading curve of coarse aggregate.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to:

i. describe the importance of sieve analysis of coarse aggregate.
ii. measure the grading curve of coarse aggregate.

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

In Civil Engineering, aggregate can be described as crushed stone, gravel, sand,

slag, and recycled concrete, which is composed of individual particles.
Aggregates are also used as base material under foundations, a component of
composite materials such as concrete and asphalt concrete, which is normally
used in building and road constructions. The sieve analysis, commonly known as
the gradation test, is a basic essential test for all aggregate technicians. The sieve
analysis determines the gradation (the distribution of aggregate particles, by size,
within a given sample) in order to determine compliance with design, production
control requirements, and verification specifications. The gradation data may be
used to calculate relationships between various aggregate or aggregate blends,
to check compliance with such blends, and to predict trends during production by
plotting gradation curves graphically, to name just a few uses. Used in conjunction
with other tests, the sieve analysis is a very good quality control and quality
acceptance tool.

4.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

Sieve analysis of coarse aggregate are commonly use to grade the fine aggregate
to be use in concrete and other application in Civil Engineering.

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5.0 EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

i. Balance
ii. Standard sieve
iii. Sieve shaker
iv. 10kg sample of coarse aggregate

6.0 PROCEDURES

i. Prepare 10kg sample of coarse aggregate.

ii. Reduce the sample weight to 2kg using riffle box.

iii. Place the aggregate sample in mechanical shaker which arranged according to
size.

iv. Sieve the sample by using mechanical shaker for 5 minutes.

v. Weight the aggregate retained for each sieve plate size and properly record the
data.

vi. Plot grading curve from test result.

vii. Referring to the standard, determine the suitability of the tested coarse
aggregate as concrete material. State all the related references.

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 (i) (ii) (iii)

(v) (iv)

7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

Dry weight of used material: ………………………………………………… g

Sieve
Size
Mass of Percentage Cumulative Cumulative
According
Retained Retained Percentage Percentage Note
to British
(g) (%) Retained Passing
Standard
(mm)
37.5
20.0
14.0
10.0
5.0
Pan
TOTAL

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8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

i. Plot the grading curve gain based on experiment done.

ii. Discuss on the result gain on the experiment.
iii. Determine the suitability of coarse aggregate tested as the concrete materials.

9.0 QUESTIONS

i. Explain any application of this experiment in Civil Engineering field.

ii. Why this experiment should be conducted before it use in concrete mixing?

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MB04 - WORKABILITY AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CONCRETE

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To study the workability of the designed mix and compressive strength of concrete
cubes.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to:

i. describe the workability and compressive strength of concrete
ii. measure the workability and compressive strength of concrete

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

In fresh concrete, concrete is in the plastic state which can be moulded into
desired shape. Therefore, in order to handling concrete without segregation, to
placing without loss of homogeneity and to compacting with specified effort, the
certain testing should be performed to ensure that the concrete are workable
enough. Slump test are done to measure the workability of the mixed concrete.
In order to test the strength of the concrete, the hardened concrete test was done.
The testing of hardened concrete can be classified into two types which are
destructive test and non-destructive test. Cube test is currently the most common
type of destructive test for concrete, owing to the cheapness of the cube moulds
and the comparative simplicity of manufacture and testing of cubes.

4.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

Slump Test was carry out at construction site to test the workability of the concrete
mix. Cube test (Compressive Test) are done to the hardened concrete cube to test
the strength of the concrete used on the structure.

5.0 EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

i. Concrete cubes mould

ii. Vibrating tables
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iii. Slump-test apparatus
iv. Weighting machine
v. Curing tank
vi. Concrete compression machine
vii. Cement – 2 kg
viii. Sand – 4 kg
ix. Aggregate – 8kg

6.0 PROCEDURES

i. Design a concrete mix according to a ratio of 1: 2: 4 (cement: sand: gravel)

ii. Prepare material required to produce 6 concrete cubes size 150 mm x 150
mm x 150 mm mould.
iii. Batch and mix the material according to BS 1881: Part 125: 1983 (Methods
for mixing and sampling fresh concrete in the laboratory).
iv. Determine the workability of the designed mix by slump test with reference
to BS 1881: Part 102: 1983 (Method for determination of slump).
v. Cast 3 concrete cubes for compressive strength with compression machine
at 7 and 28 days, respectively with reference to BS 1881: Part 116: 1983
(Method for determination of compressive strength of concrete cubes).

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7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATION

Record Sheet

Grade: Supplier:

Water /Cement Ratio: Slump Test:

Compaction: Hand Tamping Compaction’s factor:

Extra Material:
Min. Strength of Cube:
(At 7 days) Nmm2 (At 28 days) Nmm2

Type of Cement: Portland Source:

Type of Sand: Washed Sand Source:
Type of Aggregate: 20 mm (Granite) Source:

Specimen Size: 150 mm Loaded Area: 22,500 mm2

Date Cast: Test Date: Age: days
Date Cast: Test Date: Age: days

Comp.
Cube Part of Mass Max. Density
Strength Remarks
Ref. Structure (kg) Load (kN) (kg/m3)
(kN/m2)
1

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 Figure 1: Relationship between Compressive Strength and water/cement ratio for
100mm concrete cubes

8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

i. State and sketch the result of your slump test.

ii. Tabulate the results in Record Sheet and plot graphs to relate the increase of
compressive strength with age.
iii. Compare the mean compressive strength with the actual results shown in
Figure 1.

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9.0 QUESTIONS

i. Based on graph; discuss the result gain in the experiment.

ii. Make a comparison of the compressive strength in experiment with actual
result shown in Figure 1.
iii. Sketch the pattern of slump and concrete cube after compression. Comment
on any deviation from the expected results and the factors which could affect
their accuracy, particularly on the workability and compressive strength.

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MB05 - REBOUND HAMMER TEST

1.0 OBJECTIVE

• To check the uniformity of concrete.

• To determine the properties of the surface of the concrete.
• To estimate strength of concrete in structures.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to carry out surface hardness
testing by rebound hammer according to BS 1881: Part 202: 1986

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

There are several reasons why testing of hardened concrete is important, such
as:
• Able to investigate the fundamental physical behaviour of concrete such as
elastic properties and strength characteristics;
• When physical laws are not fully understood testing can simulate expected
conditions to evaluate performance;
• Tests to determined physical material constants like the modulus of elasticity;
and
• Quality control.

Common characteristics of concrete like strength and durability should not be

considered fundamental material properties. Variables like specimen geometry
and preparation, moisture content, temperature, loading rate, and the type of
testing device will affect the mechanical behaviour. Therefore, when defining
some mechanical property it is necessary to specify the test used to determine
the value. The testing of hardened concrete can be classified into two types which
are destructive test and non-destructive test.

The most common non-destructive test is the rebound test. The test measures the
rebound of a hardened steel hammer impacted on the concrete by a spring. This
method has the same limitations as the surface hardness tests. The results are
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affected by surface finish; moisture content; temperature; rigidity of the member being
tested; carbonation of the surface; and direction of impact (upward, downward,
horizontal). Most useful in checking the uniformity of concrete.

4.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

Rebound Hammer test is the common NDT test use in industry to test the strength of
hardened concrete or structure.

5.0 EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

i. Rebound hammer type N

ii. Close textured concrete

6.0 PROCEDURES

A) Method of Testing
i. Select a rebound hammer appropriate to the type of concrete tested, check
that it is working correctly and check its reading on the steel reference anvil.
ii. Choose suitable test locations. Only smooth surfaces should be tested.
iii. Confine the readings of a test to an area not exceeding 300 mm x 300 mm
iv. Draw a regular grid of lines 30 mm apart and to take the intersections of the
lines as test points
v. Twelve readings are needed at a location.

B) Procedure of Using Rebound Hammer

i. The hammer is pressed against concrete. Plunger retracts against spring and the
hammer is ready to be used.
ii. Press the hammer to the test location until the mass hammer impact against the
surface through the plunger.
iii. Hammer should be operated perpendicular to the surface horizontally.
iv. Press the button at the side of hammer and read the amount of rebound of the
mass, R from the indicator.
v. Refer to the calibration curve on the standard steel anvil to read the compressive
strength.
vi. Estimate the compressive strength with refer to the table given in Appendix I.

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7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATION

Compressive
Test Test Mean Inclination Corrected
Recorded R Value Strength
Ref. Location R Angle (°) R
N/mm2

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8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

Discuss the result gain in the experiment.

9.0 QUESTIONS

i. Name other NDT test beside Rebound Hammer Test.

ii. Explain the advantage of Rebound Hammer Test compared to other NDT test.

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MB06 - DENSITY, WATER ABSORPTION AND COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH OF A BRICK

1.0 OBJECTIVE

To determine the density, water absorption, and compressive strength of brick

according to the Malaysian standard.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of this experiment, students are able to

i. describe the importance of brick testing
ii. determine the density, water absorption, compressive strength of a brick

3.0 INTRODUCTION / THEORY

Brick is one of the main material use in construction. Main testing done on brick
are density, water absorption, and compressive strength of the brick.

4.0 APPLICATION IN INDUSTRIES

All these test are used widely in brick manufacturing industry and construction industry
to test and measure the density, water absorption, and compressive strength of a
brick.

5.0 EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

i. Vernier Caliper
ii. Steel ruler
iii. Balance (6kg x 0.1g)
iv. Compressive Machine
v. Brick samples

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6.0 PROCEDURES

A) Density

i. Measure dimension of a brick by using a Vernier caliper and ruler steel.

Then, measure the volume of the brick based on the obtained dimension.

ii. Weigh the brick to determine the mass.

iii. Calculate the density of the brick by using the following formula.

ρ = m/v

Where, ρ = Density
m = Mass in kg
v = Volume

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B) Water Absorption

i. Determine the mass of dried brick sample by weighing it with balance.

ii. Immerse the brick sample in water for half hour.

iii. Determine the mass of wet brick and calculate percentage of water absorption
of that brick sample by using the following formula.

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C) Compressive Strength

i. Measure area of a brick sample.

ii. Put the brick in compressive machine and compress the sample until fail.

iii. Calculate the average of compressive strength for brick sample.

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7.0 RESULT AND CALCULATIONS

Sample
(A) Density of brick
1 2
3
Volume (m )
Brick mass (kg)
Density () (kg/m3)
Average density (kg/m3)

Sample
(B) Water Absorption
3 4
Volume (m3)
Dried mass (kg)
Wet mass (kg)
Percentage of water absorption (%)
Average percentage of water absorption (%)

Sample
(B) Compressive Strength
5 6
2
Net cross-sectional Area (m )
Failure Load (kN)
Compressive Strength (kN/m2)
Average Compressive Strength (kN/m2)

8.0 DATA AND ANALYSIS

i. Do the data analysis on the result gain on the experiment.

ii. Discuss on the result.
iii. Conclude what does the result you get on this experiment

9.0 QUESTIONS

i. What is the important of testing on brick?

ii. Besides all the testing you done in laboratory, name the other test to test the
brick. Explain it.

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